McCarney, Jackson power way onto Payton Watch List

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Colgate's Gavin McCarney is a superb
rusher who keeps improving as a passer. Appalachian State's Jamal Jackson is a
terrific pocket passer who has the skills to roll out and run the ball
effectively.

Both quarterbacks have dominated play this season, setting records along the
way, while joining the 2012 Walter Payton Award Watch List on Tuesday.

The Payton Award, presented by The Sports Network, and in its 26th year, is
presented to the outstanding player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

McCarney, a 6-foot-2, 192-pound junior, has helped Colgate compile a 7-3
record and capture the Patriot League title. He guides an offense that ranks
No. 1 in the league and No. 3 in the FCS with a 41.2-point average.

He ranks first nationally in scoring (12.8 ppg), second in points responsible
for (21.2 ppg), fourth in passing efficiency (159.65) and seventh in total
offense (317.2 ypg). Among McCarney's 12 school records are total offensive
yards in a game (512), rushing yards by a quarterback in a game (288), rushing
yards by a quarterback in a season (1,131), touchdowns in a season by a
quarterback (21) and consecutive games with a touchdown pass (12).

He earned national co-offensive player of the week honors in league wins over
Georgetown and Lafayette.

Jackson, a 6-3, 208-pound junior, has been equally effective for Appalachian
State's nationally ranked program, although he is most talented as a passer.
He stands tall in the pocket and has outstanding accuracy downfield. This
season, he has ranked first or second in the Southern Conference and in the
Top 20 nationally in passing yards per game (264.1), total offense (294.5 ypg)
and passing efficiency (146.18)

In 10 games, he's helped the Mountaineers to a share of the SoCon title and
completed 235-of-361 pass attempts (65.1 percent) for 2,905 yards and 19
touchdowns (against seven interceptions). He has carried the ball 108 times for
334 yards and five touchdowns.

The Payton Award will be voted on by a national panel of sports information
and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries
following the regular season. The top three vote-getters will be invited to
the FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation on Dec. 17 in Philadelphia.

They will be joined at the banquet by the winners of the Buck Buchanan, Jerry
Rice and Eddie Robinson awards, which also are presented by The Sports Network.
The Buchanan Award honors the FCS defensive player of the year, the Rice Award
goes to the FCS freshman of the year and the Robinson Award honors the FCS
coach of the year.